Foot-operated valve.



V. D. RENWIGK, JR.

FOOT OPERATED VALVE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 1, 1911.

Patented Sept. 26, 1911.

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WITNESSES COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPM CO.,WASNINUTON. D. c.

V. D. RENWIGK, Jn. FOOT OPERATED VALVE, APPLIOATION FILED 1111? 1, 1911.1,004,467, Patented Sept. 26, 1911.

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" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. A

VICTOR D. RENWIGK, JR., 013 PLEASAN'IVILLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH '10 FREDERICK W. RENWICK,

ONE-FOURTH '10 GEORGE C. HARRIS, AND

ONE-FOURTH TO CLAUDE B. SMITH, ALI: OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY.

FOOT-OPERATED VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VIo'roR D. RnNwIoK, Jr., a citizen of the UnitedStates, and residing at Pleasantville, in the county of Atlantic andState of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Foot-Operated Valves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements 1n foot operated valves and moreespecially to that class of such devices known as push button valves.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a simple valveconstruction especially adapted for water serv1ce pipes and readilyoperable without the aid of the hands of the operator but solelyotherwise manipulated.

The present valves are of the self-closing type and while the use ofsuch valves operated by the feet of the operator is known to be used inspecial instances, such as in surgical hospitals and also included inthe wash basin slab for operation by hand, this broad invention is notnow claimed; but the present construction is especially designed forproviding a foot operated water valve that is simple and easy tomanufacture and at the same time readily adaptable for all common uses,such as in connection with the wash basin or sink of the ordinary toiletroom or kitchen. Another object is to provide such a valve constructionin which all the parts may be easily accessible and by the releasing ofa single element the entire valve member and its mechanisms are freelyre movable from the valve casing.

While there is herein shown but a single device, it will be understoodthat the invention is not alone limited thereto but is readily adaptablefor the manipulation by a single push button or floor plate of aplurality of valves, such as a separate valve for hot and cold water.

With these general objects in view and others that will appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the same consists of thenovel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in theappended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which likedesignating numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the severalviews: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device with a portion thereofshown in longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional viewtaken upon line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side e1eva tion of anotherform of the device partly shown in section. Fig. 4 is a central sectionthereof taken upon line 4- l, and, Fig. 5 is a plan view of a floorsection including the device positioned therein.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the fioor 10 being provided with amortise opening 11 is illustrated with-the plate member 12positionedtherein and to the underneath surface of which the valvecasing 13 is suspended, the latter being provided with the usual inletand outlet ports 14: and 15 respectively, by the opposite side plates 16forming a yoke suspension for said casing, easily removable through saidopening.

The casing 13 is centrally provided interiorly thereof with the taperedopening or bore 17 within which communication is had with the bottomthereof by the contracted portion 18 of the inlet and at a point thereinand above said opening by a contracted por tion 19 of the outlet. Atapered cylindrical valve plug 20 is ground for closely fitting withinthe bore 17 and having a hollow chamber 21 therein is aflordedcommunication with the. outlet through the port 22 in the wall of saidchamber. lhe bottom wall of said chamber moreover is provided with aninwardly tapering valve seat 23 which seat is in the form of a portaffording communication between the chamber 21 and the space 24 beneaththe valve plug and the inlet. A cap 25 being screw-threaded upon the topof the plug 20 provides a stuffing box 26 therebetween. A collar 27 isloosely journaled upon said plug at a point beneath said cap and isscrew-threaded within the upper extension 28 of the valve casing in sucha manner that the unscrewing upwardly of the collar 27 operates by itscontact with the cap 25 to forcibly remove and withdraw the plug fromthe casing. A copper asbestos lined gasket 28' is interposed betweensaid collar and the annular seat 20' of the plug.

Sockets 29 are provided on opposite sides ,of the valve casing member 13secured to the plates 16 for the reception of the bottoms of helicalsprings 30 which, at their tops, are seated within similar sockets 31provided in the under surface of the actuating plate 32.

valve stem 33 extending centrally through the valve plug terminates atits lower end in a tapered valve 34 adapted to accurately fit the seat23 while the upper end of the valve stem is secured to the floor plate32 by set nuts 35 and 36. In any clesirab-le manner, a friction plate 37may be secured to the floor plate 32, the same being here shown asslidably mounted therein between the opposing flanges 38 thereon, thesaid member 37 being preferably formed of a substance which is warm tothe touch of the individual when desiring to operate the valve forinstance by the hand or bare foot. Surrounding the floor plate 32 isprovided a finishing plate 39 secured to the plate member 12 byhold-fast devices 40, while four wood screws 40 secure the plate 12 tothe floor 10.

In Figs. 3 and 4 a less intricate form of the invention is disclosed andin which the side springs 30 are eliminated while the side plates 16 aresecured to the valve casing 13 in substantially an identical manner. TheValve and plug construction as well as the valve stem connection withthe floor plate being substantially identical to that above described inconnection with. Figs. 1 and 2, it will be unnecessary to furtherdescribe the remaining elements with the exception of those which differin the two constructions.

Further referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the cap 25 isloosely journaled upon the upper end of the valve plug 20 and includesthe packing 26 between the said cap and the upper end of the plug. Thecap 25 at its lower periphery is provided with an integral upturnedflange or collar 42 extending entirely around the cap and adapted toreceive therein a helical spring 43. surrounding said cap and inclosingtherein a valve stem 33 and the downwardly-projecting portion 44 of thefloor plate 32. The upper end of said encircling helical spring isseated within the annular socket 45 on the under face of the floorplate.

The complete operation of the invention will be at once apparent fromthe above description.

The pressure of the foot upon the covering or top insertion of the floorplate re sults in a downward movement of the valve seat and valve and aconsequent unseating of the latter which allows an entrance of the fluidto the valve casing and from which it flows in a manner that will be atonce evident. A release of such pressure upon the valve stem allows theresilient means to again reseat the valve shutting'ofl the flow of fluidthrough the casing.

In this class of devices, it is desirable that of the top of the valveseat while the said,

piston 60 is adapted for reception and free movement therein. Theoperation of the last described elements is similar to the or dinarydash pot and it will be readily seen C that when the valve and thepiston 60 upon the valve stem are lowered for allowing the water to passfrom the inlet to the outlet of the valve casing, that water will alsobe admitted above the piston 60, whereupon when the foot pressure isremoved and the valve automatically closes, this water will slowly beforced out downwardly and thus allowing the piston 60 to gradually riseuntil the valve is entirely seated and the water supply cut off. Itmight be noted that the piston 60 may be provided with small openings ifdesired or the chamber within which the same operates might be slightlytapered upwardly to allow the water to be more easily expelledtherefrom.

In connection with the water faucets or bibs employed with the ordinarysinks or wash basins, the positioning of the present foot actuatingdevices therefor may be at any place desired but a most convenientposition for the same has been, found to be at a point a few incheswithin the front line thereof and slightly underneath the same so thatthe placing of a foot upon either the hot or cold water floor plate orboth readily regulates the flow of water as may be desired.

While the forms of the invention herein shown and described are what arebelieved to be preferable embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless to beunderstood that changes may be made in the form, proportion and size ofthe parts thereof and in minor details of construction without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

Having fully described the invention and the manner in which the same isdesigned for use,,what isclaimed as new and desired 4 to be covered byLetters Patent is 1. A device of the class described comprising a valvecasing having a tapering central bore, a floor member, a plate securedin said floor member, opposite yoke members integral with said plate andcasing, a movable plug within said casing, a cap screwthreaded upon saidplug, a revoluble collar screwed within said casing and journaled uponsaid plug at a point adjacent the bottom of said cap, a valve member,and avalve stem secured to said valve member, a contact member upon theupper end of said stem and positioned within an opening provided in saidplate, and a resilient means between said contact member and valvecasing.

2. In combination with a valve casing having a tapered central openingtherein, of a tapered plug fitting said opening, a cap positioned uponthe top of said plug, packing material positioned between said plug andcap, a collar screw-threaded to said casing and journaled upon said plugadjacent the bottom of said cap, a valve seat within said plug, a valveadapted to engage said seat, a valve stem upon said valve, a push platesecured to the top of said stem, a floor plate havin an opening thereinfor the reception of said push plate, and opposite straps integrallysecured to said casing and floor plate.

3. In combination with a valve casing having a tapered central openingtherein, of a tapered plug fitting said opening, a cap positioned uponthe top of said plug, packing material positioned between said plug andcap, a collar screw-threaded to said casing and journaled upon said plugadjacent the bottom of said cap, a valve seat within said plug, a valveadapted to engage said seat, a valve stem upon said valve, a push platesecured to the top of said stem, a floor plate having an opening thereinfor the reception of said push plate, opposite straps integrally securedto said casing and floor plate, and resilient means engaging said pushplate and adapted for normally closing said valve.

4. A device of the class described comprising in combination with avalve casing having a tapered bore therein, a tapered plug, a valve seatwithin said plug, a valve adapted to fit said seat and having a stemextending therefrom, a push plate secured to the upper end of said stem,a cap journaled upon the upper end of said plug, packing positionedbetween said cap and the upper end of said plug, resilient meanspositioned between said cap and push plate, afloor member provided withan opening therein and said push plate positioned within said opening,and opposite integral strap members secured between said casing andfloor member.

5. In a foot operated self-closing valve, a valve casing provided with acentral tapered bore, a tapered valve plug freely positioned in thelatter, a cap journaled upon the top of said plug, a packing positionedbetween said cap and plug, means for removing said plug from said bore,a valve seat within said plug, and a valve adapted to engage the same,and means adapted for closing said valve and retaining said cap uponsaid packing simultaneously.

6. In a foot operated self-closing valve, a valve casing provided with acentral tapered bore, a tapered valve plug freely positioned in thelatter, a cap journaled upon the top of said plug, a packing positionedbetween said cap and plug, means for removing said plug from said bore,a valve seat within said plug, a valve adapted to engage the same, meansadapted for closing said valve and ret aining said cap upon said packingsimultaneously, and a dash-pot cushioning device within said plug andabove said valve seat.

7. In a foot operated self-closing valve, a valve casing provided with acentral tapered bore, a tapered valve plug freely positioned in thelatter, a cap journaled upon the top of said plug, a packing positionedbetween said cap and plug, means for removing said plug from said bore,a valve seat within said plug, a valve adapted to engage the same, meansadapted for closing said valve and retaining said cap upon said packingsimultaneously, said plug having a chamber therein above, said seat, avalve stem for said valve, a piston provided upon said stem within saidchamber and above said valve, and said plug having an outlet portbetween said piston and valve when the latter is in its closed position.

In testimony whereof I affix my in presence of two witnesses.

VICTOR D. RENWIOK, JR. \Vitnesses:

JOHN IV. HUGHES, PAUL Knsnmcs.

signature Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

